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I No Party Affiliation · Governor, Florida · Nov 3, 2026

Frank
J. Russo

Frank J. Russo, Florida businessman and insurance executive, is a No Party Affiliation candidate for Governor of Florida in 2026.

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
15
positions
8
endorsements
0
Opponents Byron Donalds R+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Frank J. Russo is a Florida-born businessman and entrepreneur running for Governor of Florida in the November 3, 2026 general election as a No Party Affiliation candidate, with Rachel Rodriguez as his running mate. 611 His campaign describes him as having more than 30 years of insurance and executive experience, having managed teams of more than 500 people, and having worked across housing, development, payroll and operations. 3

BallotReady reports that Russo earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management and Operations from the University of Central Florida in 1988, and that he was an Allstate agency owner from 1988 to 2004 and has served as CEO of Frank J. Russo Consulting since 2021. 1418 His campaign materials describe him as a businessman, insurance executive, developer and humanitarian based in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 26

Russo announced his candidacy in April 2026, becoming one of the first candidates to enter Florida's 2026 gubernatorial race. 2 He has put forward policy platforms on education, veterans, insurance reform and immigration, and in July 2026 he became the first Florida gubernatorial candidate to accept cryptocurrency donations. 5820

No prior elected office is identified for Russo in the Florida Division of Elections candidate record or other sources reviewed. His campaign's Florida Division of Elections record lists his status as "Qualified." 6

At a glance

Party
No Party Affiliation
Running for
Governor, Florida
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
russo2026.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 5
    poll
    Florida polling shows Donalds and Jolly tied at 45%; Russo not reported separately

    A St. Pete Polls survey conducted October 5–7 showed Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly each at 45%, with 'others' at 4%. The sources reviewed did not report a separate polling share for Russo.

    PB Polls — Latest United States polls · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 3
    news
    Russo pledges homestead exemption increase and ~50% teacher pay raise in first 100 days

    Russo pledged to pursue increasing the homestead exemption from $250,000 to $500,000 and a roughly 50% increase in average teacher pay as first-100-days priorities if elected governor. These are campaign pledges, not enacted changes.

    Florida Governor Candidate Pledges Property Tax Relief, Teacher Pay Raise · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 1
    news
    Russo issues open letter to President Trump calling for housing development across Florida's 67 counties

    Russo called for private builders to develop one 300–500-unit apartment community in each of Florida's 67 counties, with 60% of units for households at or below 80% of area median income and 40% workforce housing, using private capital and no new government dollars.

    Florida Governor Candidate Frank Russo Issues Open ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 29
    news
    WPBF includes Russo in report on Florida gubernatorial candidates campaigning ahead of election

    WPBF covered Russo among candidates connecting with voters as the November 3 election approached. Russo stated, 'I understand what it's like to manage people and understand leadership.'

    Florida gubernatorial candidates connect with voters as election nears · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 20
    news
    Russo proposes 9.9% millionaire tax on personal income above $1 million

    Russo's campaign proposed a 9.9% marginal state income tax on taxable personal income above $1 million, with revenue directed to a restricted trust for specified investments. Implementation would require constitutional authorization and voter approval.

    Independent Candidate for Florida Governor Proposes ... · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 18
    news
    Russo unveils 'Ellis Island Promise' immigration framework

    Russo announced an immigration framework described as seeking to enforce the law and protect public safety while supporting the economy and maintaining humane treatment. Specific mechanisms were not detailed in the sources reviewed.

    Frank Russo Unveils "Ellis Island Promise" Immigration Framework · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 15
    news
    Russo unveils Florida Data Center Community Responsibility Act

    Russo announced a proposed act that would charge large data centers based on electrical capacity, direct revenue to host communities, require facility modernization within five years, and review tax incentives. He said he would seek legislative action first and might pursue a ballot initiative if lawmakers did not act.

    Frank Russo Unveils Florida Data Center Community ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 15
    news
    Russo challenges Mark Zuckerberg to put $250 million toward protecting Florida's water

    Russo publicly challenged Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to direct $250 million toward protecting Florida's water resources.

    Frank Russo Challenges Mark Zuckerberg to Put $250 Million ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 14
    news
    After substituting at a Daytona Beach school, Russo unveils veterans school safety plan

    After spending a day as a substitute teacher at David C. Hinson Sr. Middle School in Daytona Beach, Russo proposed hiring qualified military veterans statewide to help protect public schools, with an initial $100 million state investment starting with K–8 schools.

    After Spending a Day as a Substitute Teacher, Frank Russo Unveils ... · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 11
    news
    Russo calls on Florida's faith communities to put humanity over the dollar

    Russo issued a statement appealing to Florida faith communities, explicitly clarifying he was not asking churches or clergy to endorse him or tell people how to vote.

    Frank Russo Calls on Florida's Faith Communities to Put ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 10
    debate
    Russo challenges Donalds and Jolly to debate Florida's insurance system accountability

    Russo and Rodriguez issued a public challenge to Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly to debate insurance-system accountability, while advocating restoration of an elected insurance commissioner. Sources do not confirm a debate including Russo was subsequently scheduled.

    Russo Challenges Donalds and Jolly to Debate Florida's Insurance ... · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  12. Jun 12
    filing
    Frank Russo qualifies as no-party-affiliation candidate for Florida governor before deadline

    Russo qualified as a no-party-affiliation candidate alongside running mate Rachel Rodriguez before Florida's June 12 qualifying deadline. The Russo–Rodriguez ticket appeared in county voter guides for the general election.

    Florida governor's race — 2026 candidates | Ballot Explained · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Sources 15

  1. [1] PB Polls — Latest United States polls(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Frank Russo Calls on Florida's Faith Communities to Put ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  3. [3] Florida governor's race — 2026 candidates | Ballot Explained(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] Florida Governor Candidate Pledges Property Tax Relief, Teacher Pay Raise(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  5. [5] Florida Governor Candidate Frank Russo Issues Open ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  6. [6] Florida gubernatorial candidates connect with voters as election nears(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  7. [7] Priorities(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  8. [8] Independent Candidate for Florida Governor Proposes ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
  9. [9] Frank Russo Unveils "Ellis Island Promise" Immigration Framework(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  10. [10] Frank Russo Challenges Mark Zuckerberg to Put $250 Million ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  11. [11] Frank Russo Unveils Florida Data Center Community ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  12. [12] After Spending a Day as a Substitute Teacher, Frank Russo Unveils ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  13. [13] Russo Challenges Donalds and Jolly to Debate Florida's Insurance ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
  14. [14] Frank Russo Announces Housing Accountability Plan to Make Florida More Affordable(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026
  15. [15] Frank Russo Announces Run for Governor of Florida(opens in a new tab) Apr 14, 2026
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